“And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.”
Genesis 24:47 is a verse from the narrative of Abraham’s servant seeking a wife for Isaac. In this chapter, Abraham instructs his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac from among his relatives rather than from the Canaanites. The servant is concerned about finding the right woman, so he prays for God’s guidance and sets out on a journey to Nahor, Abraham’s hometown.
Upon arriving in Nahor, the servant encounters Rebekah, who shows him great kindness by offering him water and offering to water his camels as well. Recognizing this as a sign from God, the servant blesses the Lord and decides to give Rebekah’s family some gifts as a token of appreciation and respect.
In verse 47, the servant asks Rebekah about her family background:specifically inquiring whose daughter she is. Rebekah responds by saying that she is the daughter of Bethuel, who is the son of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. She also mentions that her mother’s name is Milcah.
Additionally, the verse mentions that the servant puts an earring upon Rebekah’s face and bracelets upon her hands. This act symbolises the servant’s recognition of Rebekah as the chosen one and his desire to honour her with gifts.
This verse highlights:the servant’s careful investigation and his desire to find a suitable wife for Isaac. It also shows Rebekah’s willingness to engage with the servant and her readiness to accept his gifts. The servant’s inquiry about Rebekah’s lineage and the subsequent confirmation of her identity emphasise the importance of family ties and genealogy during that time.
Overall, Genesis 24:47 underscores the providential leading of God in guiding the servant to Rebekah and provides insight into the customs and practices of the ancient Near Eastern culture. It also foreshadows the upcoming betrothal and eventual marriage of Isaac and Rebekah, as their story unfolds in subsequent verses.
